Ten Easy Energy Saving Tips

Ten Easy Energy Saving Tips

With energy costs on the rise, it’s never been a better time to make your home more efficient. Here are ten easy energy saving tips to cut energy costs without spending a fortune straight the pages of our book My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure.

Install a clock thermostat

Installing a clock thermostat and programming it to reduce the household temperature overnight and while you’re away can reduce heating costs by as much as 10%.

Who Left the Lights On?

Use dimmers and sensors to make sure you're not using more electricity than you need to. Dimmers can create ambience and save energy. Sensors can detect when no one is in a room for a while and turn off lights automatically so you don't forget to.

Insulate your water heater

Adding an inexpensive water heater jacket can keep heat from escaping. They

Reduce water temperature

Turn down your water heater’s temperature setting to a safe but efficient 120 degrees instead of the potentially scalding higher settings. If you have an electric water heater, cut the cost of running it in half by installing a timer that allows water to be heated only when necessary, like during your morning shower.

Add more insulation

Proper attic insulation - at least 12 inches of the batt or blown types between attic rafters - helps to reduce heating needs by up to 30 percent. Also make sure that the attic is well-ventilated, as even slightly damp insulation can lose as much as one third of its ability to insulate.

Keep filters clean

Replace your furnace’s filter before the heating season begins and thereafter as recommended by the filter manufacturer. A dirty filter will reduce airflow, which makes your system work that much harder to deliver warmth where it’s needed. Better yet, invest in a whole-house air cleaner that requires only annual maintenance.

Get your ducts in a row

Sealing heating ducts that rob you of precious warm air is a great way to cut costs. But don’t use “duct tape” as it dries out, falls off and just doesn’t work! Instead, either foil-backed tape made for this purpose (rated “UL 181”) or duct mastic.

Reduce drafts

Weather-strip or caulk around windows, doors, outlets and light switches from the inside to prevent warm air from escaping.

Strategic shades

Keep draperies and shades on south-facing windows open during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. In summer, keep them closed during the day to reduce solar heat gain.

Smart lighting

Home lighting can dim your finances, as it accounts for about ten percent of your electric bill. Move to lower bulb wattages where you can, and select long-lasting compact fluorescent bulbs for further savings.

Power down

Add a power strip to completely shut down stereo systems and computers when not in use, as most models continue to draw energy even when idle.

Want more ways to save energy?

Download “How to Avoid Freezing, Sneezing, Frying and Fizzling...and Freaking Out over Utility Costs,” Chapter 8 from Tom and Leslie’s book, My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure. The entire chapter is available free by clicking here.